Trails & Waterways

Billingsgate Island from Wellfleet Harbor

This trip is a longer variation of the earlier trip “Great Island from Wellfleet Harbor”. The trip needs to be timed so that you arrive at Billingsgate Island during low tide. Be aware of the forecast wind direction and velocity, because conditions can change during the longer time period of this trip.

Directions to the Launch: From Rt.6 in Wellfleet turn at the traffic light to Wellfleet Center and Harbor. Take Main St. 0.3 m and turn left to E. Commercial St. Follow Commercial St to the town harbor. Turn right onto Kendrick Ave. and turn into the Mayo Beach parking area on the left across from the Bookstore Restaurant. Park at the end of the parking area nearest the town pier; take the path to the beach and launch outside of the roped-off swimming area.

Trip Description:

This paddle is about 10 miles to Billingsgate Island and back. After launching, turn right paddling along Mayo Beach avoiding the main channel with power boats. Once out of the inner harbor continue with the beach on your right about 1 mile. Cross the mouth of the Herring River to the eastern tip of Great Island. Keeping Great Island on the right, follow the shoreline. Follow a course that aims for the end of “second island” in the distance which is about 3 miles from the launch spot. On your left you can see Indian Neck and Lieutenant’s Island across the outer portion of Wellfleet Harbor. At this point you are approaching Great Beach Hill with Jeremy Point Overlook beyond. As you draw abreast of Great Beach Hill, look for a small cove, right, and then a sand spit ahead. Move well offshore to round the spit. Once past the bar, turn right and paddle i nto a large cove fringed with salt marsh. One mile ahead is “false Jeremy Point”, the current end of Great Island at high tide. Another ½ mile brings you to the “true” Jeremy Point which is only visible at low tide. Beyond that is a channel, usually filled with seals, that separates Billingsgate from Great Island.Take out at Billingsgate for lunch. Reverse directions to return.

Boat Meadow River, Eastham

Directions to the Launch: From US Rte 6 at the Orleans Rotary, take the Rock Harbor exit off the rotary, turn left, and go 0.3 miles. Turn right onto Bridge Road and continue 0.7 miles. As Bridge Road turns right, go straight ahead onto Bayview Road and continue to the parking lot.

Trip Description:

The Boat Meadow River, with its marsh extends, from Cape Cod Bay nearly to Town Cove near the site of the current Orleans Rotary. In the early 1800's the town of Eastham dug a toll canal that connected the Boat Meadow River with the Town Cove at high tides. The canal failed financially and has since disappeared. Today, at high tide, a kayak can easily navigate up river as far as the Cape Cod Rail Trail, which is the terminus for the trip.The trip is about 5 miles. Heading north from the launch point, the river meanders, flowing under the Bridge at Bridge Road in 1.2 miles. After another .5 miles of meandering in a generally west direction a "tee" intersection is reached. Turning left, paddle along an old dike. A break in the dike that leads to the Boat Meadow Bog is reached in about ¼ mile. At a mid tide, the current is quit swift, so be wary. After exploring the bog, return to the tee intersection and paddle generally south along a narrowing stream until the Cape Cod Rail Trail is reached after about ½ mile. Across the bicycle trail, the stream can be seen to continue for about another .1 miles reaching a point that is only 500 feet from the Orleans rotary and ¼ mile from the Town Cove. However, no portage route exists today into Town Cove.Returning to the launch point brings the total distance paddled to about 5 miles. The trip should be done near high tide. Nearer to mid tide, strong currents make paddling against the tide a vigorous exercise in the narrow upper reaches of the stream.

Cliff Ponds

Directions to the Launch: From Rt. 6, take Exit 12, to Rt. 6A, Orleans, and E. Brewster. Go towards Brewster 1.5 m to the Nickerson State Park entrance on left. Continue past the entrance kiosk 0.3 m on Deer Park Rd. Turn left onto Flax Pond Rd. for another 1.1 m to the end of the road at a parking area for Cliff and Little Cliff ponds. There is a boat ramp on Little Cliff Pond on the left, and a beach on Cliff Pond on the right. Launch from the boat ramp on Little Cliff Pond.

Trip Description:

This trip is about 3.5 miles. Launch into Little Cliff Pond, and paddle clockwise around it. On the west side of the pond is a sandy beach connecting to Cliff Pond, just a few hundred feet over away. Launch into Cliff Pond, turn left, and begin a clockwise circuit. . You paddle past one a small cove, and then reach a larger cove at the south end of Cliff Pond. The sandy beach here provides a good spot to land and have lunch, and to perhaps enjoy a short walk to Grassy Nook Pond nearby. The sandy trail is part of a walk that circles Cliff pond and may provide another day’s outing.After lunch continue paddling left around the next pond. Continue paddling around the shoreline until you reach the swimming area at the beach at the end of Flax Pond Rd. Turn left and land back at the start of the trip.

Eastham Bay and Ocean Beaches

This ride is 12 miles and travels mostly along secondary roads. The terrain is flat until Nauset Light beach, when there is a hilly section along Ocean View Drive and again along the bike trail.

Directions to the Start: From Wellfleet, travel south on Route 6 about 3 miles from the Eastham line to Nauset Road. Turn left at the light and enter the Salt Pond visitors center log.

Trip Description:

Leave the parking lot, turn left and proceed west across Route 6 at traffic light. Continue across Route 6, traveling south on Old State Road for .1 miles. Turn right onto Locust Road traveling west until you reach the Cape Cod Rail Trail on .3 miles.Turn right (north) on the rail trail to Kingsbury Beach Road, the first crossing street in .3 miles. Go left (west) on Kingsbury .5 miles and turn right onto Weir Road. Take Weir Road, bearing left as it becomes Sand Pit Road for .4 miles to Herringbrook Road. Turn right and ride north on Herringbrook for two blocks to Thumpertown Road. Turn left on Thumpertown Road and ride west for .4 miles to Thumpertown Beach.After visiting the beach, turn back on Thumpertown and take the first left (north) onto Shurtleff Road. Ride ½ mile to Campground Beach.After visiting Campground beach, ride east on Campground Road for .4 miles to Higgins Road. Turn left (north) on Higgins and ride ¾ mile to Steele Road. Turn left (east) on Steele and ride to Crooks Brook Beach. After visiting the beach, return on Steele road .6 miles to Massasoit Road. Turn left (north) on Massasoit and take the next right onto Aspinet Road. Ride east on Aspinet .6 miles to Route 6. Cross Route 6 at traffic light to Nauset Road. Ride southeast on Nauset Road about 1 mile to Cable Road. Bear left (east) onto Cable Road and ride 1 mile to Nauset Light Beach.After visiting Nauset Light Beach, turn left out of the parking lot and ride south one mile on Ocean View Drive to Coast Guard Beach. After visiting the overlook at Coast Guard Beach and looking at the westward migration of the beach over the last few decades, return to Visitor Center via bike trail.

Great Island from Wellfleet Harbor

This trip follows the western side of Wellfleet harbor which is usually sheltered from the southwest winds prevailing in the summer. However, be aware of the forecast wind direction and velocity.

Directions to the Launch: From Rt.6 in Wellfleet turn at the traffic light to Wellfleet Center and Harbor. Take Main St. 0.3 m and turn left to E. Commercial St. Follow Commercial St to the town harbor. Turn right onto Kendrick Ave. and turn into the Mayo Beach parking area on the left across from the Bookstore Restaurant. Park at the end of the parking area nearest the town pier; take the path to the beach and launch outside of the roped-off swimming area.

Trip Description:

This paddle is about 7 miles (and possibly 3 more miles, all the way to Jeremy Pt.). After launching, turn right paddling along Mayo Beach avoiding the main channel with power boats. Once out of the inner harbor continue with the beach on your right about 1 mile until you spot the Chequessett Yacht and Country club. Cross the mouth of the Herring River to the eastern tip of Great Island. Keeping Great Island on the right, follow the shoreline. You can either follow closely along the shore, visiting “middle marsh” or follow a course for the end of “second island” in the distance which is about 3 miles from the launch spot if you took the more direct route. On your left you can see Indian Neck and Lieutenant’s Island across the outer portion of Wellfleet Harbor.At this point you are approaching Great Beach Hill with Jeremy Point Overlook beyond. As you draw abreast of Great Beach Hill, look for a small cove, right, and then a sand spit ahead. Move well offshore to round the spit. Once past the bar, turn right and paddle into a large cove fringed with salt marsh. One mile ahead is “false Jeremy Point”, the current end of Great Island at high tide. The cove has a sandy beach, well suited to beaching and having lunch. You can then decide whether to paddle 1 mile further south towards “false” Jeremy Pt. Another ½ mile brings you to the “true” Jeremy Point which is only visible at low tide.

Lieutenant's Island and Wellfleet Harbor

This trip is a longer variation of the Lieutenant’s Island circuit trip described earlier. After circumnavigating Lieutenant’s Island, the trip proceeds into Wellfleet Harbor and return. Either trip can begin either on Lieutenant’s Island or from the town landing at the end of Old Wharf Road. The trip needs mid to high tide at the start to get through Loagy Bay and around Lieutenant’s Island.

Directions to the Launch: From Rt. 6, about .2 miles north of the traffic signal at Marconi Station Rd., turn southwest onto Old Wharf Rd. Follow Old Wharf Road 1 mile to the town landing.

Trip Description:

From the launch point at Old Wharf Road, turn left and head south across the mouth of Blackfish Creek, past Fox Island on the left, and enter Loagy Bay. Navigate towards the bridge on Lieutenant Island Road.After passing under the bridge, look for an entrance to the marsh on your right about .1 miles after the bridge. Turn into the marsh and paddle up the channel, swinging to your left after about ¼ mile. Continue south through the marsh to the bay.At the lowest tide, the marsh channel does not have enough water, so go the long way round by continuing straight ahead after the bridge. At the highest tide the entire marsh is under water, and you can simply paddle over the marsh.Continuing clockwise around the Island, pass the osprey nest on the right. If the tide is not too high a large rock sticks up out of the water on your left. Continue around the island, past houses high on a bluff with stone revetments, until Indian Neck comes into view.Continue along Indian Neck for about 1 mile, past the town beach and the breakwater that forms the entrance to the inner harbor. Turn left, cross the channel, and head for the town pier.Upon reaching Wellfleet harbor, there is the requisite stop at Mac's Seafood for ice cream. Then re-cross the harbor, round the point at the end of Indian Neck, and return along Indian Neck to the launch point

This trip is one of the longer, but most rewarding trips in Wellfleet harbor. Since it begins with a two mile leg over open water it should be done when the winds are calm, and only by more experienced kayakers.

Directions to the Launch: From Rt. 6, abo ut 1.5 m north of the Wellfleet/Eastham line and 0.4 m south of the traffic signal at Marconi Station Rd., turn southwest onto Lt. Island Rd. At 1.1 m, you reach a single lane, arching wooden bridge, which crosses over to Lieutenant Island. After crossing the bridge, going up and down the hill, take the first dirt road on the right. Follow this road along the marsh on your right, heading towards an octagonal shaped house off in the distance, but which can be seen from the bridge. After traveling another 1.1 m from the bridge, and just past the octagonal house, you will reach a sandy parking area; the launch is from the beach at the end of a narrow path, just over the dune.

Trip Description:

This trip is 12 miles, or six hours at a leisurely pace. Turning left upon launching from the island’s most northerly beach, we begin a counterclockwise route around Lt. Island. When reaching about ¼ of the way around the island, we head west for the nearest point of Great Island, which is Jeremy Point Overlook. It is about a two mile paddle across Wellfleet harbor to Great Island. From there, we turn left, paddling along the shore towards Billingsgate Island, which is only out of the water at low tide. Billingsgate makes a good lunch stop. After lunch, we paddle back along the shore of Great Island, and into Wellfleet harbor. Great Island provides opportunities to pull up on shore for a rest stop.Upon reaching Wellfleet harbor, there is the requisite stop at Mac's Seafood for ice cream. Then cross the harbor, round the point at the end of Indian Neck, and return along Indian Neck to the launch point on Lieutenant's Island. Starting the trip on an outgoing mid to low tide is recommended, so Billingsgate Island will be available for lunch. However, at higher tides it is still delightful, if somewhat shorter.

Lieutenant's Island, Wellfleet

Directions to the Launch: From Rt. 6, about 1.5 m north of the Wellfleet/Eastham line and 0.4 m south of the traffic signal at Marconi Station Rd., turn southwest onto Lt. Island Rd. At 1.1 m, you reach a single lane, arching wooden bridge, which crosses over to Lieutenant Island. After crossing the bridge, going up and down the hill, take the first dirt road on the right. Follow this road along the marsh on your right, heading towards an octagonal shaped house off in the distance, but which can be seen from the bridge. After traveling another 1.1 m from the bridge, and just past the octagonal house, you will reach a sandy parking area; the launch is from the beach at the end of a narrow path, just over the dune.

Trip Description:

The trip is about five miles. This trip circumnavigates Lieutenant Island with an excursion into the waters of the Audubon Wildlife Sanctuary both on the island and on the mainland. Turning left upon launching from the island’s most northerly beach, we begin a counterclockwise route around Lt. Island. About half way around, the wildlife sanctuary lands come into view on our left. At the island’s most southerly point, we paddle southeast, heading towards the Audubon Sanctuary on the mainland. After exploring these waters, we return to the channel that leads us to the wooden bridge. Passage under the bridge is fairly tight between the closely spaced pilings. We then paddle through Loagy Bay, making our way around the headland and returning to the launch point.

Meeting House Road, The River, Little Pleasant Bay, Orleans

This trip should be done at mid tide or higher. If the winds are strong, proceed down the river exploring the side trips to the ponds. If it is calmer, you can go directly to Little Pleasant Bay and perhaps on to Sampson and Hog Islands (See the trip to Sampson Island. The islands should only be done when the tide is high and the wind is calm.)

Directions to the Launch: From Rt. 6 in Wellfleet, proceed to the Orleans Rotary and take Rt 6a/Rt 28 (third right). Follow Rt 28, turning left where it forks off Rt 6a. Turn right onto Main St (first traffic light) and go 1.5mi. Bear right onto Barley Neck road .5 mi, then turn righ t onto Bayberry Way to the town landing.

Trip Description:

From the launching point at the town landing, head left towards the outlet of Meeting House Pond about ½ mile. This is the start of “The River”. Paddle about a half-mile downriver to a marsh inlet on the left known as Lucy’s Slough. After ¾ mil e, there is an inlet on the right to Kescayo Gansett Pond. This is a 1 mile round trip side trip if you are interested. Continuing downriver another ¾ mile you pass another inlet on the right which is the Namequoit River and the entry to Arey’s Pond. A round trip into Arey’s Pond would add about two miles.Continue paddling downriver about ½ mile and you reach Namequoit Point on the right, beyond which is Little Pleasant Bay; Sampson and Hog Islands are just across the bay.

Nauset Marsh South from Hemenway Rd; Inlet Marsh, Eastham

Directions to the Launch: From the Orleans rotary, take Rt. 6 north 1.8 m and turn right onto Hemenway Rd. After 0.3 m you will come to the parking area and the town landing.

Trip Description:

This trip is about five miles long. The trip begins by bearing right from the launch. Paddle south along the channel called Skiff Hill Creek. After ½ mile, Fort Hill is on the right. Continuing another ¼ mile, cross the inlet to Town Cove and the area called Inlet Marsh. Until a few years ago this area was the center of the harbor. However, the entrance from the Atlantic Ocean to Nauset Marsh is now two miles to the north of its previous location, so this area has fewer boats. It also makes most maps in kayaking guide books sadly out of date.Continuing south for another mile and a quarter, you reach the southern end of Nauset Marsh. Twenty years ago, this was the entrance to the marsh from the Atlantic Ocean, and is still shown as such on the National Seashore maps at Coast Guard Beach and the Marconi Station.Stop here for lunch, and walk 100 feet across the dune to view the Atlantic Ocean whose breakers can be heard from Nauset Marsh.

Directions to the Launch: From Orleans rotary, take Rt. 6 north 1.8 m and turn right onto Hemenway Rd. After 0.3 m you will come to the parking area and the town landing.

Trip Description:

Paddle is about 5½ miles. The trip begins by bearing left from the launch, and heading north ¾ mile to the entrance to Salt Pond Bay passing the boat house shown on the left. Paddle into Salt Pond and past the National Seashore Visitor’s Center.Returning to the marsh, keep the shore on your left and paddle into and across Nauset Bay about 1¼ mile, towards the Nauset Coast Guard Station. The beach below the station is a good place to stop, for a swim, crossing the beach to the ocean side, lunch, etc. After lunch, paddle south, parallel to the ocean behind the barrier beach, in one of the channels. The higher the tide, the more channels there are. If the tide is less than mid-tide and going out, retrace your steps quickly or you will be walking the last ½ mile.Winter storms constantly reshape Nauset Marsh, and move the entrance to the marsh. Guidebooks rapidly become out of date, and most of the published maps of kayaking routes in Nauset Marsh are hopeless. Use a recent satellite photo to plan your trip. The suggested route is shown below. Beware that the entrance to the marsh from the Atlantic can have high rolling waves. Stay as far from the entrance as possible, turning left into the main channel of the marsh, paddling ½ mile and then take a channel to the south west. This connects to the main channel that flows by the Hemenway landing.

North Truro to Highland Light

From Wellfleet, take Route 6 to Truro and take the Highland Light exit at mile marker 109.8. Go left (west) at bottom of exit and travel 0.6 miles (past Dutra’s Market) to the end of Pond Road and the parking lot.From North Truro take Route 6, turn left on 6A then left onto Pond Road at the intersection just before Dutra’s Market.

Trip Description:

From the parking log bike northwest, up Twine Field Road, a short steep hill, into development. After ¼ mile the road forks right. Continue for a total of about ½ mile, ten turn right onto to Bay Village Road for 0.1 miles to Route 6A. Go left (north) 0.1 miles to Windigo Lane. Go left 0.2 miles to Knowles Way (Cobb).

Go left 100 yards to Pilgrim Path/Knowles Heights Roads. Follow this roadway 0.5 miles to Old King’s Highway (Route 6A). Go left on 6A (north) a little over 0.8 miles to connector to route 6. It is just before the small cottages along the bay.

Cross route 6 and go left (north) 100 yards to High Head road. Follow High Head road to bottom of steep hill then left until it comes to Head of Meadow Bike Trail parking lot and path. Bike the path to Head of Meadow Beach, about 2.0 miles.

Go right up the paved road (Head of the Meadow Road) then turn left (south) just past fork to go down Old Kings Highway (the 2nd dirt road on left angled off road) until you get to a paved Coast Guard Road in 0.5 miles. There is some bike walking here.

Take Coast Guard Road ½ mile, passing Highland Road on right to Highland Light Road on left. Take Highland Light Road for ¼ mile to the Highland Lighthouse.

Leave time to explore both the lighthouse, go to the ocean overlook and visit the Truro Historical Society Museum, located in one of North Truro's best known landmarks, the old Highland House, a resort hotel built on the Highlands in 1907.

Returning, travel down Highland Light Road, and turn left onto Coast Guard Road. Travel ½ mile to the old DEWLINE Road. Turn left and go ½ mile to the new Highland Center. Here you can explore the new performing arts center in Truro.

Return down DEWLINE road to Coast Guard Road, turn right and backtrack .1 miles to S Hollow Road. Turn left and go ¾ mile to Old King’s Highway. Turn right and go ½ mile to Pond Road. Turn left and return to your car.

Pamet River, Truro

This is a trip for the off season, when the town of Truro does not try to collect the unreasonable sum of $10.00 to launch a kayak from the town landing.

Directions to the Launch: From Rt. 6 northbound in Truro, take the exit signed for Pamet Roads and Truro Center. After exiting, you come to a junction signed for North and South Pamet roads. Turn right, go several hundred feet, and turn right onto South Pamet Rd., which goes under Rt. 6. After 0.1 m you come to Castle Rd. Turn left, go about 100 feet and veer right onto Depot Rd. After 0.5 m the road forks and you stay right toward Pamet Harbor. At 1.3 m you come to the harbor parking area and twin boat ramps.

Trip Description:

Paddle is about 5 miles. After launching, turn right, paddle past the parking area, turn right and enter the Pamet River. Paddle upstream, following the river as it wanders back and forth across the marsh. Proceed towards Rt. 6, turning around when the passage becomes too narrow. Proceed downstream back to Pamet Harbor. On returning to the harbor, you can bear right into the Little Pamet River tidal flat if the tide is high enough. Otherwise, paddle due west to Harbor Bar and a landing spot where the inlet from Cape Cod Bay enters the harbor at the foot of the north jetty. This is also a great spot for lunch or a walk along the beach. Paddling out into Cape Cod Bay is only advisable at when the tide is not running out strongly, as currents in the harbor channel will be difficult to paddle against. Return to the launch site, paddling east across Pamet Harbor.

South Wellfleet to Wellfleet Center via Ocean View Drive

Directions to the start of trip:The trip begins at the northern terminus of the Cape Cod Rail Trail, in the parking lot just off Le Count Hollow Road. Le Count Hollow Road is just north of milepost 99 on Route 6 in Wellfleet. Turn onto Le Count Hollow Road, drive .1 miles, turn right into Rail Trail parking lot.

Trip Description:

From the parking lot, turn right (east) and ride 2/3 mile to Ocean View Drive. Turn left, passing White Crest Beach after 1 mile (good stopping point) to Long Pond Road at just under 2 miles. Turn left, and go past the Long Pond Beach, over Route 6 to Main Street, about 2 miles. Turn right onto Main Street. Go 1/3 mile to the town hall.For a slightly longer trip, turn left onto Bank Street, ride to Commercial Street, turn right, and ride to the Town Pier.

To return, start back on Commercial Street, take the first left and go up Holbrook, to stop sign. Turn left, and return the way you started.Terrain: hilly- Distance 13 miles

The River & Sampson Island, Little Pleasant Bay, Orleans

This trip should be done at mid tide or higher. If the winds are strong consider another trip unless you have spray skirts.

Directions to the Launch: From Rt. 6 in Wellfleet, proceed to the Orleans Rotary and take Rt 6a/Rt 28 (third right). Follow Rt 28, turning left where it forks off Rt 6a. Turn right onto Main St (first traffic light). After 0.5 m turn right onto River Road (across from the cemetery) and drive 0.4 m to the town landing. Parking is primarily on the street, since the very small paved area at the landing is a turnaround for boat trailers.

Trip Description:

This trip is about 6.5 miles in length. Launch from the landing and you will be on “The River”. Paddle downriver, through Frostfish Cove, ultimately reaching Old Field Point on the left, beyond which is Little Pleasant Bay. (Beware of rocks around the Point.)Ahead across the bay are Sampson and Hog Islands. Pass red nun “52” to your right, and then paddle due south toward the northwest tip of Hog Island. This is Money Head, where Captain Kidd supposedly buried treasure. Passing Money Head to your right, paddle east through Hog Island Creek between the two islands. Then swing north into Broad Creek, with Sampson Island on your left and the back side of Nauset Beach on your right. After rounding the northern tip of Sampson Island, stop for lunch on the sandy shore. After lunch, paddle west toward red nun “54”. Once clear of Old Field Point, turn northwest parallel to the channel and then back up The River to the launch.

Trails & Waterways

A selection of trails and waterways in Wellfleet and the surrounding area.

Walkers, Upper and Lower Mill Ponds, Brewster

Directions to the Launch: Upper Mill Pond is accessible through the town owned Punkhorn Park lands which can be reached from Route 6A by taking Stony Brook Road to Run Hill Road and following it 1¼ miles to the conservation area. Kayaks are available for rental from the town, during the summer.

Trip Description:

This trip is about 4 miles. The trip involves circumnavigating three kettle ponds. Launch from the Punkhorn Conservation parklands beach on the northeast side of Upper Mill Pond, turn left and paddle to a short cut over sand to the east side of Walkers Pond. Circumnavigate Walker’s pond, and then return to Upper Mill Pond. Continue around the pond to a shallow creek about a tenth of a mile long. (You may have to drag kayaks along this stretch at low water). From here you can reach the grist mill at the north end of Lower Mill Pond.

Wellfleet Center to Great island

Ride from Wellfleet Town center to Great Island parking lot. Option to go on to Duck Harbor.Terrain: moderately hilly- Distance 6.5 miles with option for 8.5 mile total.Directions to the Start: From Rt.6 in Wellfleet turn at the traffic light to Wellfleet Center and Harbor. Take Main Street .6 miles to the Town Hall. Start from the Wellfleet Center public parking lot behind town hall.

Trip Description:

Start at the Wellfleet center public parking lot behind the town hall. After leaving the parking lot, make a left turn and then a very quick right to go down Bank Street. Merge right onto Commercial continue on Commercial until the harbor.

Turn right onto Kendrick at the Harbor near the Pearl restaurant. Continue on Kendrick making no turns, keeping the bay on your right, until you reach Great Island Parking lot.

If you want an additional ride, leave the parking lot and ride straight ahead for .9 miles down Griffin Island Road until the road turns left and proceeds ¼ mile to the Duck Harbor parking lot.

Returning, go back the way you came until you get to the Harbor. Here a stop for ice cream at Macs wouldnot be out of order.

Return to Commercial Street and take the first left and go up Holbrook, to stop sign. Turn right on Main Street and go left into parking lot.

This trip can be done as described near to high tide. At lower tides, the entire trip cannot be done, but other side trips to Lieutenant’s Island or Loagy Bay can be added. At low tide, be careful to avoid the aquaculture along Indian Neck by paddling about ½ mile from the beach. In the summer season a Wellfleet sticker is needed to park at Indian Neck Beach, but Mayo Beach, where no sticker is needed, can be used as an alternate starting point.

Directions to the Launch: Take Pilgrim Spring Rd. off Rt. 6 (just past the fire-lookout tower) about 0.7 m to the junction where Cove Rd. joins from the right and Indian Neck Rd. goes straight; go straight 1.8 m to the intersection with Samoset Ave. on left; bear right staying on Indian Neck Rd. about another 0.3 m to the Indian Neck Beach parking area.

Trip Description: The trip is about 6-8 miles. Launch the kayaks at Indian Neck Beach, and turn left along Indian Neck. Paddle along Indian Neck in Wellfleet Harbor to its end and then around Field Point. This is about two miles.Keeping the shore on the left, paddle into Drummer Cove and circumnavigate the cove. At high tide this is about 2 miles. On leaving the cove, turn left to continue paddling further east into Blackfish Creek. If the tide is high enough to reach all the way to Rt. 6, this is about 1¼ miles.Returning down Blackfish Creek, cross to Indian Neck, and continue down Indian Neck to the launch point.As an optio nal extension on returning, bypass the launching point and paddle down the length of Indian Neck and into Wellfleet Harbor. Upon reaching Wellfleet harbor, there is the requisite stop at Mac's Seafood for ice cream. Then re-cross the harbor, round the point at the end of Indian Neck, and return to the launch point. This option adds about 1½ miles and an ice cream break.

Wellfleet Trail Terminus to Orleans Depot Square

Ride the Cape Cod Rail Trail to Depot square. The terrain is flat; the distance 18 Miles

Directions to the start of trip: The trip begins at the northern terminus of the Cape Cod Rail Trail, in the parking lot just off Le Count Hollow Road. Le Count Hollow Road is just north of milepost 99 on Route 6 in Wellfleet. Turn onto Le Count Hollow Road, drive .1 miles, turn right into Rail Trail parking lot.

Trip Description: Begin at the northern terminus of the Cape Cod Rail Trail and ride South. After .8 miles pass the road to the Marconi Station, an interesting side trip of 2¼ miles round trip. See view from Marconi Observation Tower on right. (Trip from northern terminus to Marconi station and back ~ 4 miles – slight hill.) Continuing on the rail trail, cross Nauset Road after 3.5 miles. Here is a possible side trip to Nauset Light of about 3.5 miles round trip. (Ride from northern terminus to Nauset Light and back ~ 14 miles – flat.)Pass under Route 6 in tunnel at about 5 miles. Facilities provided by Arnold’s Restaurant alongside the Rail Trail.Pass Long Pond and then cross Samoset Road after 6 miles. Cross over Route 6 on bike bridge at about 8 miles. Arrive at Orleans Depot at 9 miles. Retrace route on return. Ice Cream opportunites: At the Northern Terminus (Mike’s Ice Cream), Sub and Cone after the Marconi cutoff, Arnolds, Hot Chocolate Sparro